I live quite a busy life. Out most evenings either coaching or running. We, Jax and I, normally get enough time to watch one episode of our latest Netflix series. The current choice of viewing, The Boroughs.

It was in the most recent episode Wally turns to Sam and says “We can give up or we can go all the way. We know how the first one ends. No one knows where the second one leads”.

Trying to improve our fitness, running in particular, can be challenging at times. There will be many days on that path, where you think “what’s the point?”.

Giving up is the easy out. As Wally hints, we know what happens if we take that option. Unfit and miserable.

But what if we stick to the other fork in the road? Keep working hard, keep doing our best, who knows what the outcome will be. Again there will be weeks, races, gym sessions and even easy runs, that feel much harder than they should. But if we push beyond that, then we might just surprise ourselves. That’s exciting right?

This time last year, I was in peak fitness and run arguably my best race to date at the Hastings Runners 5 Miler.

Like many of the team at the moment, running PBs feels some way off, but I’m excited for that journey back to where I was. That’s the best part. At times it’s a grind, but hard work makes me feel good about myself, so I’m relishing that challenge.

Can I get back to my best? I don’t know, but I’m going to enjoy trying to find out.

I think it’s important to have that attitude in life. Yesterday, at the 2026 Keith Chandler Memorial Race, what impressed me the most from my team, was the positivity, regardless of the outcome.

Granted a few were disappointed with the times, but even those runners took a sense of pride from their commitment, and not taking the easy option.

Let’s be like Wally, let’s go all the way and see where it leads.

Paul chose that approach. 2 and a half years he’s been part of Team Orange, one of the first runners to get on board. Paul has been such a fantastic person to work with, a positive mindset, believing in his own ability, but most importantly, trusting the process.

Paul has not only improved his times significantly across all distances, he’s transformed his body shape, making me smile every time he rocks up in a vest showing off his guns, rightly so, they’re impressive.

I’d also like to thank Paul for kindly recommending me to so many other runners in the past 30 months. I know quite a few of the team who joined because of his words of encouragement, and I really appreciate anyone who spreads the love, as it helps me continue to grow the team, but also learn as a coach. So thank you Paul and the rest of you.

Right. Results. I won’t go into too much depth. Whilst the race lasted somewhere between 30-60 mins for most of the field, I’m sure many spent far longer on social media in the afternoon, checking splits, leaving feedback and cropping photos. That’s fine, but you probably know by now who achieved what.

So there were PBs for Shain (29:25), Sam D (31:11), Cameron (33:44), Chris (34:58), Glenn (35:40), Lucy P (37:24), Jodie (38:29), Matthew (39:40), Lou W (42:08), Kirsty (46:34) and Chrissie (55:26).

Also representing the team we had Steve S (33:42), Patrick (35:35), Michael (36:16), Ben (38:02), Karl (39:46), Lou H (41:49), Paul (42:08), Michelle (42:32), Allan (43:02), Klare (45:09), Jax (47:00), Heidi (47:05), Shana (50:26), Lou M (50:33), Su (50:57), Philippa (51:09), Jo (51:53), Sarah (51:39), Sue M (51:56) and Mark (1:05:09).

Lucy was 3rd in her age category, Sarah 2nd, and special mentions for Jax and Shana who returned to racing after a long absence, both putting in strong performances.

The only other race from the weekend was the Grasmere Gallop 17k. Over 373 metres of elevation around the Lake District, certainly more endurance based than speed and Andy had an absolute blast, I’m sure he’ll be entering a lot more trail races in the future.

Thanks for reading. And whenever you feel like it’s all too much and you want to quit, just remember what Wally said.